Thursday, April 24, 2008

Before you read this, let's establish one thing: I am a geek. I love being a geek. I am not changing for anyone.

Disclaimer now finished, you may continue reading.

I am excited about the new Robert Downey Jr. & Terrance Howard movie entitled Iron Man. It will not be released for a couple of months. However, the good people at the Alamo Drafthouse and the one-and-only Harry from AintItCoolNews.com are teaming-up to give us a special free sneak-preview of Iron Man. Not only are they showing a free sneak preview of the movie, but they are having a real guy flying around the movie theater in a jet pack. HOW SWEET IS THAT?!!!

Here is some video of the guy in the jet pack:

There is one big catch: there is a competition to get these free tickets. The competition is basically that you have to take a picture of yourself dressed as either Iron Man or Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.'s character in the movie).

So last night, to Megan's mild entertainment, I made my Iron Man costume for the competition. Here is my Iron Man costume:

And here is my Iron Man costume in the dark:

Fun to make? You know it. Funny? In a sad way, yes. Creepy? Hell yes.

However, in my own Ben-Bartley-geek-world, I rock.

Here is how I made it:

the shoulder pads are an upside-down storage container

the chest light is a touch light (Home Depot)

the arm guards are plastic pictures (Goodwill)

the red clothes are small pajamas (Goodwill)

the yellow parts are tape (Hobby Lobby)

the face mask was bought (Hobby Lobby)

the helmet is left over from previous projects (Top Gun - Be Kind Rewind competition)

the boots & shin guards were found around the house

Not unlike the government, I covered everything (and I mean EVERYTHING) in red tape (Big Lots).

I think that is the key to being a Super-Hero: cover everything in red tape & shop at the Goodwill.

I will find out by Friday if I was a winner. Wish me luck.

In summary: the Alamo Drafthouse, AintItCoolNews.com & Iron Man all rock; the key to being a super-hero... cover everything in red tape; I am a geek.